NFL notebook: Texans address substance use in locker search

Houston Texans owner Bob McNair ordered the team's staff members to go through the locker room to make sure no players are using banned substances.

Houston Texans owner Bob McNair ordered the team's staff members to go through the locker room to make sure no players are using banned substances.

USA Today first reported the Texans had staff members remove any products that are not approved by the NFL. Two of Houston's players - left tackle Duane Brown and linebacker Brian Cushing - served four-game suspensions for different violations of the league's policy on banned substances.

McNair said yesterday he wanted to take a step to prevent future occurrences. He says the Texans have the right to control players while they're in the team's facilities.

"We concluded that one thing we can do is to just go through the locker room and make sure that if anybody is using anything, it's a product from one of the approved manufacturers," McNair said. "That's about all that we can do."

Team spokesman Kevin Cooper said the procedure took place "about a month ago." NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the decision "is a club matter."

The NFL Players Association did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Brown will return from his suspension when the Texans (4-2) play at Indianapolis (4-2) on Monday night. Cushing sat out Houston's first four games.

McNair said Texans players have been repeatedly warned about the hazards of performance-enhancing substances.

"They're grown men and they're going to do what they're going to do," Smith said. "But we're trying to educate them and help them. You can't control everything, all the time."

Brown, Houston's first-round draft pick in 2008, said he believes the team has the right to go through players' lockers, without violating their privacy.

"Whatever you decide to bring into this stadium, whatever you decide to have in your locker, I feel like they have a right to know," Brown said.

Future of Favre's streak uncertain

Quarterback Brett Favre is listed as questionable for Minnesota's game Sunday at New England.

Favre was on the field for drills yesterday, the first time this week. He had a wrap on his left ankle, which has two fractures.

Vikings coach Brad Childress said he'll probably wait until the last hours before game time to decide whether Favre's NFL-record streak of 291 straight games started will continue.

Notable

New Orleans running backs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas (sprained left ankle) have been ruled out for Sunday night's game against Pittsburgh. After testing the recovery of his lower right leg from a broken bone, Bush and trainers agreed he was not quite ready. A grand jury in Alabama has declined to indict former Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Russell was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, a drink containing codeine syrup. The defense contended it belonged to another person in Russell's home.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.